The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in six games to clinch the final spot in the NBA Western Conference Finals. Three of the four teams that were in it last year made it back for a second consecutive season, while the Thunder are the new kids on the block. However, Oklahoma City has plenty of experience to contend. More importantly, it has enough talent to dethrone the San Antonio Spurs as Western Conference champions.

Sure, the Spurs manhandled the Portland Trail Blazers to the surprise of no one outside of the fine state of Oregon, but that does not mean they will have the same success against the Thunder. Oklahoma City has the league’s MVP on its side. If you think Kevin Durant is going to sit by and let his spectacular 2013-14 season go to waste, then you better guess again.

The Thunder have athleticism, quickness and a devastating one-two punch that will overpower the Spurs. Obviously, Durant is playing out of his mind. A whopping 30.8 points per game is exactly what people expect the MVP to accomplish in the postseason, but to actually do it is still something else. Even if San Antonio somehow slows Durant down, it won’t matter because Russell Westbrook will just step up. At 27.3 points per game, the point guard is clearly holding his own. In fact, their combined postseason success should be enough to terrify the Spurs, Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat.

With that being said, the emphasis really needs to be on Oklahoma City’s athleticism because I believe that will be San Antonio’s downfall. There is just no way that they can compete in that area on the court, which is why it is only a matter of time until the Thunder clinch their second NBA Finals appearance in three years.